RANKL与骨免疫学

RANKL and osteoimmunology

NF-κB受体激活物配体(RANKL)由317个氨基酸残基组成,属Ⅱ型跨膜蛋白,在体内以膜结合型和可溶性羧基末端两种形式存在,两种形式均可被饵受体OPG结合而失去生物学活性。骨和免疫系统都产生RANKL,而RANKL介导骨代谢的同时还可调节免疫系统发育和功能,提示骨与免疫系统间存在密切联系。据此,有学者提出了“骨免疫学”(osteoimmunology)概念。文章综述RANKL与骨和免疫系统间的关系。

Receptor activator of NF-κB ligand （RANKL） is a 317-amino acid peptide and a type Ⅱ transmembrane protein. It has now been shown to exist in two forms： a cellular, membrane-bound form and a soluble form, whose activities can be blocked by the soluble decoy receptor osteoprotegerin （OPG）. RANKL derives from both the skeletal and immune systems, and regulates not only bone metabolism but also the development and function of immune system at the same time, suggesting some cross-talk between the two systems. The term Osteoimmunology has therefore been coined. The relationship between RANKL and the two systems is summarized here.